I’m only in this country for three more days, so I find myself frequently reflecting on what I will be missing by not being here. Many of them are things that I thought I’d never get used to. There’s no way this list is complete, just what I could think of in a ten minute period.

warm, welcoming people

always being offered a chair

always being offered a snack and a beverage

“adios” when passing in the street

hearing my name yelled out by people

fruits & fritos

so many delicious fruits we don’t have access to in the US – and fruits like bananas that taste so much better here, closer to the source

the tienda across the street sells all the basics, and in just the amount you want – need only one egg? half a liter of milk? just one cilantro branch? They got you, boo

patio life

communal television experiences – if you walk to the store between 8-10 pm, odds are decent that every TV you pass will be tuned into the same program. And that the store itself is also showing it, so you won’t miss much from that singing competition or novela